snake Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2008/09/04/deguzman_canada_honduras/ Thursday, September 4, 2008 Julian de Guzman scored Canada's goal in the 1-1 draw with Jamaica last month. Julian de Guzman scored Canada's goal in the 1-1 draw with Jamaica last month. Related Sportsnet.ca to stream WCQ Stalteri focus on Canada Johnston blog: A confident bunch THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL -- Julian de Guzman versus Jonathan de Guzman at the World Cup? It's unlikely that it will ever happen, but the brothers from Toronto have played for different countries since Jonathan took Dutch citizenship in January and saw action for the Netherlands at the Beijing Olympics. Julian is a star midfielder for the Canadian team that is to play a key World Cup qualifying match against Honduras at Saputo Stadium on Saturday (Sportsnet, 8 p.m. ET). "He ended up playing for Holland at the Olympics, it doesn't mean he's locked down with the national team, " the 27-year-old Julian said Thursday of his 20-year-old brother. "But it's something we're not focused on. "We have a good team here. Everyone's ready to represent their country at their best and that's what we need -- guys that are committed. My brother's situation is an outside factor right now." Much would have to fall into place for the sibling showdown to happen. First, Canada would have to qualify for the World Cup, which it has done only once before in 1986. Then it likely would have to be drawn into the same first-round group as the Dutch. Then, of course, both players would have to be picked for their national teams. "It would definitely be a very special moment for both of us," de Guzman added. "We always wanted to play together, whether it be the national team or club. "But if it was against each other, we'd be ready for that. We'd just be happy to get on the field on such a big stage." It is very rare for brothers to play against each other in international sport. Examples include Steve Mandando, who played goal for a French reserve team against his brother Parfait, the 'keeper for the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the 1990s, Jose Luis Vidigal played for Portugal while his brother Jose Carlos Vidigal played for Angola. In hockey, Robert Reichel played for the Czech Republic while his brother Martin played for Germany. Julian calls Jonathan his best friend who is "not just a brother, but also like a son to me." They talk every other day on the phone. Julian plays for Deportivo la Coruna, a top Spanish club. He is proud of how his brother has made a quick name for himself in European soccer. Jonathan, who has been in the system of Dutch side Feyenoord since he was 12, is a rising star at midfield. Recent reports had him as the target of multimillion-dollar transfer talks with English power Arsenal, which already has Dutch star Robin van Persie at striker. The younger de Guzman plays a hard game, and was suspended four matches for elbowing Heracles striker Kwame Quanseh in Feyenoord's season-opening match on Monday. "He's living his dream and as long as he's happy with what he does, that's what's important," said the elder de Guzman. Still, Canada can hardly afford to lose more of its best young players to other countries, with midfielder Owen Hargreaves of Calgary already playing for England. Julian has his mind on getting a win against Honduras, ranked 61st in the world to Canada's 79th. Canada will play its second straight home game after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Jamaica in Toronto on Aug. 20 and wants a win to stay ahead of Honduras, which was beaten 2-1 by Mexico it their opener. "It's a home game and you don't get many opportunities to do this at home with a good crowd," said de Guzman. "We're going to use this to our advantage to have a good performance and more importantly, get a good result. "Everyone believes it's like a final for us. We're not in panic mode, but we have to play at 100 per cent. There's no time for errors." The Canadians, who gather from clubs across North America and Europe, have had the luxury of nearly a full a week together. They have been training in Montreal since Monday. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton left the team Thursday to be with his wife, who is expecting a baby any day now. It is uncertain if the Toronto FC veteran will be available for the match. Canada has goalkeepers Pat Onstad and Lars Hirschfeld on hand. The Honduras team, which includes Toronto FC midfielder Amado Guevara and Benfica striker David Suazo, arrived on Wednesday night. They will train Friday afternoon at Saputo Stadium, just before the Montreal Impact plays Minnesota in a USL match. That raises concern for the pitch. A summer of heavy rain has loosened the surface, so that large divots are torn out of the grass when players slide or cut sharply. The Canadian players spent a few moments replacing divots after their two-hour training session. "He ended up playing for Holland at the Olympics, it doesn't mean he's locked down with the national team, " the 27-year-old Julian said Thursday of his 20-year-old brother. "But it's something we're not focused on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Well if he doesn't make the cut for Holland he'll no doubt take the second choice and condescend to play for Canada... sell his services to whoever will buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villus Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I feel bad for Julian in all this, he loves representing us and obviously loves his brother and wants him with us but alas it was up to Jono and chose Holland over him and Canada. Julian continues to be our best player, and I'm sure regrets not lining up with his brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SportingFC Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 They are best of friends. Maybe he would consider playing for Canada when they make it to the next round.. It does sound odd that he would say his bro is not lock down with Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Richard Well if he doesn't make the cut for Holland he'll no doubt take the second choice and condescend to play for Canada... sell his services to whoever will buy. I'm usually a patient man, but this Jonothan De Guzman fiasco is really starting to irratate me. Richard, he has until September 10th (his 21st birthday) to declare his nation right? My understanding is that once he chooses he can't reverse the decision, is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 quote:Originally posted by SportingFC They are best of friends. Maybe he would consider playing for Canada when they make it to the next round.. It does sound odd that he would say his bro is not lock down with Holland. Well it's not odd, everyone who knows the depth chart understands he is a fringe player (at best). Julian isn't telling us anything we don't already know. Jonothan has too many players in front of him at bigger clubs. If he made that switch to Chelsea a few seasons ago when rumors were floating around, he would probably be in the set up already. And he needs to make his decision by september 10th, unless i'm misinformed (I hope I am). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obinna Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 There isn't anything in this article which indicates Julian has some inside info on Jonothan's future. In fact, it's quite clear that he will be with Orange (look at the topic sentence). It's easy to read into something that isn't there. I predict he stays with Holland and transfers to a bigger club after 2010 (when his contract ends.) If there is interest in Spain he will take it over EPL. He won't make the 2010 WC roster for dutch, but will be there in 2014 and Euro 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 The way that I read that quote is that Julian is saying his brother has not secured a place in the Holland senior squad -not that he would still consider Canada. I'm not sure how the new residency rules impact his status, but under the old rules he's already as good as cap-tied to Holland -as I believe he turns 21 next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinhaya Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 What Jono should have done is take the Dutch passport and play for us in the WCQ. Like Lars (has German passport), he could have had the best of both worlds (European player status on a club team and rep Canada internationally). Come to think of it, why does Lars have no problem playing for us unlike Tam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSoccerFan Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 quote:Originally posted by sinhaya Come to think of it, why does Lars have no problem playing for us unlike Tam? Lars was born in Canada. Tam was not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youllneverwalkalone Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 quote:Originally posted by CanadianSoccerFan Lars was born in Canada. Tam was not. I think it's actually the racist German system where, because Lars is of German heritage, he can hold dual passports. ps. Don't attack me for the use of the word 'racist.' My mom is German and I've started watching the Bundesliga! Though, it's also sexist because I don't think I qualify for a passport because my German blood goes through my mother's side. Either that or they somehow know my grampa was really part Polish. Well, they don't hold it against Klose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Obinna I'm usually a patient man, but this Jonothan De Guzman fiasco is really starting to irratate me. Richard, he has until September 10th (his 21st birthday) to declare his nation right? My understanding is that once he chooses he can't reverse the decision, is that correct? He only has to declare if and when he is selected for a national team, until then he can leave his options open. He can either continue to refuse Canada (assuming he has been approached) in the hope that he eventually makes the Dutch MNT, or he can play for Canada. It seems for now he is chosing the first option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 He's already played in multiple FIFA competitions for the Netherlands, therefore he's cap-tied to them. He can switch to Canada before his 21st bday on Sept. 12th. This story is over in a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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